Dana J. Smith

Dana J. Smith, 95, of Sayre, PA, passed away Friday, September 13th, at the Sayre Health Care Center following declining health.

Dana was born March 8, 1929, in Sayre, PA, the son of the late Roger and Gertrude Park Smith. 

He was pre-deceased by his wife of 53 years, Joan V. Smith, his son David John, sister Julia Duvall, brothers Robert (Diz) Smith, and Dr. Roger (Mary Ann) Smith.  

Survived by his sons Edward (Tammy) Smith of Hardy, VA and Dale (JoAnn) Smith of Schenectady, NY; grandchildren, Aaron (Zoe) Smith of South Waverly, Celeste and Aubrey Smith of Sayre, Christopher (Grace-Ann) Smith of Miamisburg, OH, Danielle (Dave) Healy, Alex Smith, and Andrea (Brock) Gingell of Schenectady, NY; brother, Thomas (Barb) Smith of Sun City, FL and eight great-grandchildren. 

He graduated from Ulster High School and served in the Navy from 1950 to 1954. 

He was formerly employed by Schweizer Aircraft in Horseheads, NY, in the finishing department and then was the owner and operator of the Blue Swan Airport in the late 60's and early '70s. After obtaining his commercial license in 1972 worked for Gargano and Miller Aviation out of Endicott and Johnson City, NY, retiring in 1994. Dana was also a glider & tow pilot for Harris Hill Soaring in Elmira, NY.

He was a member of the Aircraft Owners Pilot Association, National Rifle Association, and Soaring Society of America. Dana also received the prestigious Wright Brothers "Master Pilot" award for fifty consecutive years of dedicated service in aviation safety and the Charles Taylor "Master Mechanic" Award for his dedicated service, technical expertise, and other outstanding maintenance contributions to further the cause of aviation safety. Member of the First Church of God, Sayre, PA.

His family also spearheaded the Dave Smith Run, which was named after Dana and Joan's son Dave who passed away from cancer and became an annual 24-hour event at the Sayre High School for 18 years.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm on Friday, September 20th, at Lowery-Urban Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 225 S. Main St., Athens, PA 18810. Where a funeral service will be held at 12:00 pm lead by his family. Burial to follow at Tioga Point Cemetery with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed Bradford County Humane Society in Dana J. Smith's memory.

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